join our staff

Note: Applications are due on December 13, 2024.

joining sunia staff: expectations and responsibilities

Before you apply, please read through all of the following expectations and responsibilities. Be realistic with yourself about whether you can commit to the requirements of the position for at least the next two years.

  • You are applying to be a volunteer for a well-established charity and there is a high level of commitment involved in being a counsellor on our staff. By accepting a position on our staff, you would commit to a minimum two-year term with SUNIA, after which point your continuation on staff is subject to a personal and directorial evaluation process.

  • Counsellors spend between 5–10 hours per week on SUNIA-related activities. The majority of time spent on these projects falls between May and August, and increases slightly as you spend more years on staff. Please be realistic with yourself about whether you can make this time commitment.

  • Responsibilities undertaken throughout the year include: assisting in promotional efforts by contacting various schools and organizations, making presentations to these groups, preparing teaching materials, and leading recreational and academic activities at camp.

  • Counsellors will be required to attend five mandatory retreats on weekends at various locations in Alberta. These retreats take place in January, March, May, July, August, and October. Our first retreat is January 10th–11th in Edmonton. If you live outside of Edmonton, transportation arrangements to these retreats can be made. Most retreats take place out of town, and carpools can usually be arranged.

  • Counsellors are also required to attend mandatory weekly staff meetings. Counsellors who live in Edmonton are expected to be physically present, but counsellors living outside of Edmonton are expected to meet up with each other and attend virtually.

Please take the time to review the above information with your family prior to submitting your application.

If you have any questions about the application or the position, please feel free to contact Rian Hoyle by phone at (780) 266-7426 or via email at director@sunia.ca.

Be sure to apply on or before December 13th!

who can apply?

The application to be a part of the staff of SUNIA 2025 is open to all students who attended SUNIA in:

  • August 2023

  • August 2024

You must be a resident of Alberta to apply. You do not have to be 18 to apply.

what do i need to apply?

To apply, you should:

  • Complete this form, obviously!

  • Put together a resume and send it to Rian Hoyle, Executive Director, via email at director@sunia.ca.

  • Obtain two letters of reference from people who can speak to your character, abilities, and achievements. Your referees can send their letters directly to director@sunia.ca, or you can send them in yourself along with your resume.

If your application makes it past the initial stage, you will be contacted for an interview. Interviews are scheduled for to take place in-person from December 27th–29th in Edmonton, so please keep these dates open.

Please submit the form and your documents on or before December 13th.

If you require any accommodations throughout the interview process, please do not hesitate to reach out to reach Rian Hoyle by phone at (780) 266-7426 or via email at director@sunia.ca. We will do our best to accommodate!

Hello! We’re so excited that you’re thinking about becoming a SUNIA counsellor. Please review all the information below before applying. We’re looking forward to hearing from you!